religious dimension of human society is always more or less directly related to social processes.To determine the nature of this influence, you need to find out what social functions are performed by religion.
role of religion in society
religious traditions affect the individual and society in many ways.The nature of this effect is not constant and changes from site to site and over time.In any case, it determines the results of such impact that researchers define as social functions of religion.The latter refers to the whole range of consequences of religious influence, having a place to be in a variety of historical circumstances.
extent of the influence of religion on society
place of religious teachings in society - the value of the variable.For example, in the Middle Ages, religious permeable to all civil institutions, having a direct impact on secular institutions: administration, military institutions, professional associations, the sphere of art, etc.Today, the western world is much more secularized, so analyzing what religion performs public functions in society today, we must proceed from the fact that religion is expelled from many areas of life.This is true for developed countries, the so-called first world, but not for countries in Africa, say, or the Middle East where religious values still play a major role in the organization of society.
Marxist theory of the social functions of religion
Currently, sociology, as well as religion, not a certain standard criteria with which to approach the study of what social functions are performed by religion.For example, according to the sociological theory, focused on the authority of Karl Marx, the role of religion is evaluated with regard to its impact on the progress of society.In other words, the question of what social functions are performed by the religion, the short answer depends on an assessment of its obstacles and promote social progress.As is well known, Marx himself compared this function in contemporary world opium.But at the same time, he (and Friedrich Engels) recognized the huge creative role of early Christianity and Protestantism, would, in his opinion, to bring public life to a new, higher in terms of the level of progress of social relations.
Thus, Marxist sociology speaks of the two main functions of religion - the revolutionary and reactionary.
social functions of religion by Erich Fromm
different system of criteria for determining the functions of religion offered eminent philosopher and sociologist Erich Fromm from America.Exploring what social functions are performed by the religion, he singles out just two of their spectrum, which, in his opinion, are common to all religious teachings of the world - the humanistic and authoritarian.
humanistic function of religion
Humanist Fromm puts function dependent on a religious system, which emphasizes the value of human existence itself.As a consequence, such a religion promotes inner growth of the individual and society.In general, this feature contributes to the development of intellectual, cognitive, ethical and other resources of the individual and society.The logical consequence of its consistent implementation of Fromm saw a society in which the idea of unity dominated the world of nature and humanity.The list of such religions are Fromm's teaching of the Buddha (early), Christianity, as well as a number of other religious doctrines, such as Taoism.
authoritarian function of religion
But to fully understand what social functions are performed by religion, briefly touch and the second role, marked by Fromm, which is called authoritarian.Its nature is based on doctrinal approval of a higher power, in comparison with which a person is recognized beginning of the weak and helpless.In contrast to the humanistic type of religion, which focuses takes the man and his development, authoritarian religiosity has taken on the individual and society as a whole the burden of worship, groveling before the deity.All the best that religion attributes to God, and all the baser qualities - man, robbing the most creative, intellectual and moral potential of humanity.In a society formed a religion, cultivated a sense of fear, guilt.The joy and freedom acquire shades of sin in it, but the main virtue is declared obedience.
striking example of this kind of religion in the world is Islam and modern Russia a bright specimen of an authoritarian cult is a Russian Orthodox Church, the mainstream of spiritual culture which proclaims the principle of "obedience above fasting and prayer" and actually declare repentance major act of faith.
On the other hand, it is important to note that religions are not divided strictly Fromm into two camps.Without exception, all the cults have the potential to manifest as a humanistic and authoritarian features.That is the nature of the specific historical conditions determines which performs public functions of religion.The same Buddhism, like Christianity, at different stages of development in different conditions served as a humanistic and authoritarian role.
Other functions
Along with, so to speak, with global functions of religion, Marx and Fromm indicated, you can specify a private, local.Among them, the first meeting will follow the function of purely spiritual needs - the need for faith, mystical experiences, and so on. The second function of the ethical.It allows you to regulate the ethical norms of human society, to assert their authority and their suppressing violations.
Another function is related to the spiritual and emotional anesthesia.Religious faith offers hope and encouragement in a situation of misery and sorrow - of both the individual and society as a whole.In conclusion as ideological function - religion plays a role of ideological ties of society by developing and other patriotic mood of the population.
